After learning more details about a proposal to build high-end apartments above a local restaurant, most of the Howard City Village Council now supports the idea. The council voted 4-2 in favor of the proposal at a special meeting Wednesday night. The move was a reversal of a 6-1 vote against the proposal last month.

Supporters of Montcalm County’s 4-H program are hoping the currently vacant 4-H coordinator position will be improved to a full-time job. Local 4-H advocates appeared at Monday’s Montcalm County Board of Commissioners meeting to ask the board to consider improving the part-time position to a full-time position for the upcoming fiscal year.

The police officers in this village are hanging up their blue uniform and donning a garment of brown. Today, the Howard City Police Department officially merges with the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office, bringing an end to the police department history of nearly six decades. It’s a noteworthy undertaking, unmatched by any other in county history, as far as Sheriff Bill Barnwell knows.

Russell Chilson didn’t want the dog in the first place. The family dog had died and Russell was content with the absence of a pet. But his teenage daughter Erin felt otherwise. She pleaded with her father and they ended up at Mecosta County Animal Rescue in Big Rapids. The high-strung German shepherd mix puppy wasn’t Russell’s first pick. His first pick was walking out the door with a new owner when Russell arrived at the animal rescue. But the puppy stole Erin’s heart. Russell forked over $25 and they took the puppy home. They named her London. One year later, London saved Erin’s life.

Four fire departments worked together Monday to battle a fire that destroyed a Howard City-area home and nearly all the contents inside. According to Amble Fire Capt. Jason Schuitema, flames were showing when the department arrived at 8190 N. Bailey Road just south of M-46 around 12:23 p.m.